Panthers hold off Patriots on disputed final play

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly ties up Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on the final play of the game. Officials threw a penalty flag, then waived off the call, giving Carolina a 24-20 victory. STREETER LECKA, GETTY IMAGES

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – As “Sweet Caroline” pumped through the stadium and playoff-starved Panthers fans dressed all in black celebrated a big victory, Tom Brady ran after an official in search of an explanation.

Thrilling game, bizarre ending.

Brady and the Patriots were miffed after a penalty flag that was thrown in the end zone on the final play was suddenly picked up and waved off Monday night, giving the Carolina Panthers a 24-20 victory over New England for their sixth straight win.

Cam Newton led the Panthers 83 yards on 13 plays and threw a 25-yard touchdown pass to Ted Ginn Jr. with 59 seconds left to give the Panthers the lead.

The Patriots had a chance at an improbable comeback when Brady moved New England to the Carolina 18 with 3 seconds left and fired into the end zone as time expired. Rookie safety Robert Lester intercepted the pass, but an official at the back of the end zone threw a flag for pass interference on linebacker Luke Kuechly, who had both arms wrapped around tight end Rob Gronkowski.

The officials then gathered, however, and referee Clete Blakeman announced there was no foul on the play and the game was over.

“There was no explanation given to me. Officials ran off the field. I didn't see anything,” Patriots coach Bill Belichick said. “There was a flag thrown and then the game was over.”

Blakeman said after the game that back judge Terrence Miles saw there was contact and Kuechly was not playing the ball, and that initially led Miles to call defensive pass interference. But Blakeman said the officials met and decided the ball was “underthrown” and it came down to a matter of “uncatchability.”

A pass-interference call would have put the ball on the 1-yard line and given the Patriots one more shot at a winning touchdown with no time on the clock.

“You never like to end the game like that on a call but I'm pleased that our officiating crew got together and communicated and discussed it and ultimately we believe we got it right,” Blakeman said.

An angry Brady ran down two officials to argue the call as they walked off the field, but later said he didn't get a good look at the play.

“I don't make the calls or the rules,” Brady said. “I wish it wouldn't have come down to that. I think there were plenty of plays we could've made. But it did, and they're going to make the call or they're not going to make the call. But we can play better than that.”

Brady conceded he was cautious on the throw.

“(Gronkowski) was kind of weaving in and out of there. I didn't really want to throw it over his head and out of bounds, so I was a little indecisive,” he said. “It wasn't a great throw. No excuses. Should have been a better throw.”

Kuechly, who had a critical pass-interference call in a Week 2 loss to Buffalo, was a little nervous when he saw the flag on the ground.

Panthers linebacker Luke Kuechly ties up Patriots tight end Rob Gronkowski on the final play of the game. Officials threw a penalty flag, then waived off the call, giving Carolina a 24-20 victory. STREETER LECKA, GETTY IMAGES
The Panthers' Ted Ginn falls into the end zone for the winning touchdown in front of Patriots defender Logan Ryan during the fourth quarter Monday. GERRY BROOME, AP
Patriots linebacker Dont'a Hightower tries to bring down Panthers quarterback Cam Newton during the second half. GERRY BROOME, AP
The Panthers' Greg Olsen catches a touchdown pass in front of Patriots cornerback Devin McCourty during the second half Monday. GERRY BROOME, AP

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